enantiornithean

Enantiornithes, also known as enantiornitheans, is a group of extinct birds that lived during the Mesozoic Era. They are part of the avialae subgroups, a group including all flying and non-flying birds. The name Enantiornithes translates to "opposite birds" in Greek, due to their unique skeletal characteristics which differ from those found in modern birds.

These birds date back to the Early Cretaceous period, and are known from fossil remains found in various regions around the world, including North America, Asia, and Europe. They are characterized by a large number of traits distinct from those of modern birds, including opposable hallux, teeth and keeled sternum.

Some notable features of Enantiornithes include a simplified syrinx and no free-floating collarbone. Fossil evidence indicates that these birds were sometime burial sites of contemporaneous flying dinosaurs, Archaeopterygids. This lack of environmental separation makes it difficult to pinpoint Enantiornithean habitats, with researchers speculating potential habitation in a marsh or forest ecosystems.

Although not well documented at the time, Enantiornithinary fossil discoveries provided foundation for a intricate background for another type of bird evolutionary identity. By studying these prehistoric animals, scientists are able to better understand the shift in ecological importance birds have over the course of their evolution, from competitive winged-forgemaint travelers to similar civilized populace carriers.